https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/09/02/covid-economy-california-unemployment-claims-drop-jobs-layoff-edd/ > California unemployment claims have finally started to decline, raising hopes that the statewide economy has begun to recuperate from coronavirus-linked ailments, although last week’s filings remain far worse than normal. > Workers in California also face a looming cutoff for federal benefit payments of an extra $300 a week. The payments are slated to cease on Sept. 4.